THERE ARE fears that the men who caused the horrific two-car smash which claimed the life of an elderly man on Monday last may have skipped the country.

The fatal collision occurred on the N11 at Ballylough, Ferns at approximately 10.30pm, killing 81-year-old James ‘Jim’ Brennan from Ardcross, Cherryorchard, Enniscorthy who was pronounced dead on the scene.

His long-term partner, Bernie Weafer (60) suffered serious injuries and was taken to Wexford General Hospital. There were fears she had broken her back but she sustained non-life threatening injuries to her pelvis, shoulder and head.

Witnesses to the accident described it as “an absolutely horrendous sight” with passengers on a nearby bus commenting on the unsettling speed of the second vehicle involved.

It is understood that as the couple drove home from a night of socialising with friends at bingo in Courtown, a Volvo S60, believed to be stolen, ploughed into the side of Mr. Brennan’s Toyota Corolla.

Full story in this week’s Echo.